12-18 February 2018 - 16-min

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14 12 - 18February, 2018 W L Technology & Health www.NewDelhiTimes.com ◆◆By Smt. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi @ManekaGandhiBJP ◆◆ By Dr. Anveeta Agarwal @AnveetaAgarwal anveeta@dantah.com NEW DELHI TIMES Importance of Frog in the ecological system hen was the last time you saw or even heard a frog ? Twenty years ago. One of the reasons why we have so many mosquitoes is because we have killed off their main predators – the frogs. For many years we exported millions of frogs’ legs to France, cut from living frogs. By the time the government banned it, the creatures were already in steep decline. Then came the pesticide onslaught, the drying up of wetlands, water contamination, the invasion of human settlements into the Western Ghats and they are almost gone. In the 1950’s gynaecologists would inject African Clawed frogs with a pregnant woman’s urine and if she was pregnant the frog would ovulate and produce eggs in a day. Between the 1940s and 1970s, hospitals imported the frogs in great numbers. Toads from the Bufo genus were also used, which led to the term “Bufo test.” Millions died. Is there any creature left that is not misused by the human? The Waxy Monkey Tree Frog of South America has, on its back, a substance called Dermorphin, 40 times more potent than morphine in blocking pain and creating a feeling of euphoria. The mafia in the racehorse industry use it to prod their horses into going faster, inspite of the severe whipping by their jockeys. The blood of 30 horses, tested recently in the US, showed this illegal substance. A hundred years ago scientists, experimenting with skin grafts for humans, used to cut patches off living frogs and try to graft them onto human wounds. Not one worked but ifeless, dull and unattractive teeth can be made white, even and attractive by veneers. Veneers are very commonly used by dental surgeons for smile makeovers. With the advent of technology; the durability of veneers has drastically increased and it is possible to retain the beautiful smile till more than 20 years. But what are veneers? Veneers are very thin, tooth-colored materials that are custom-fit and bonded to the teeth. They can recommended by doctors to address the following complaints: • Spaces between the teeth: • Chipped teeth • Yellow teeth/ Stained teeth • Crooked teeth • Uneven or undersized teeth Veneers are a great option for patients who have esthetic concerns over the above mentioned problems and make an effective and durable method of smile designing. imagine the agony that this little creature went through. Pilibhit was full of frogs. They crossed the road to mate and we would often stop the cars and wait for the suitors to cross before we proceeded. Once I found my security guard, a six foot warrior from Haryana frozen after a meeting. He pointed trembling at his feet. A frog sat comfortably on his shoe. No more. I haven’t seen a frog in the last three years. Frogs cannot survive climate change of any kind. Their eggs have no shells and are extremely vulnerable to sunrays which cause mutations. Amphibians are considered important indicators of ecosystem health because their porous, absorbent skin makes them highly susceptible to pollution and climate change. Many frog and amphibian species around the world have suffered die-offs in recent years because of a lethal fungus that infects their skin and spreads quickly between geographic areas. The chytrid fungus is worse than the bubonic plague. Unfortunately, the pet industry (and earlier the medical industry)– which has done more to destroy entire species than any other – took the African Clawed Frog in the 1970s all over the globe. This frog carries the deadly fungal infection chytridiomycosis which has wiped out frogs everywhere. In a recent report on the sharp decline of the frogs in the US, researchers found that frogs have been disappearing from their habitats at the rate of 3.7 % a year. You will be sorry your children never saw them. They are remarkably wonderful beings, both clever and beautiful. India and South America have the most and we are still discovering new species every few months. India has tiny purple ones that fit on your thumb. For sheer cuteness, our showstealer might be the “foot-flagging frog,” that sticks out its back foot and waves it like a hitchhiker to tell females he is available. They are smart, with beautiful colours and scientists have just discovered that many of them speak a proper language. Even a developing frog embryo in its jellylike mass is a clever being. If a predator comes, the red eyed tree frog embryo detects the threat simply from the vibration and drops out of its egg to safety within a few seconds – even though the official hatching is still a few days away. The embryo knows the difference between the vibration of a raindrop, a leaf and a snake, wasp or fungus ! His mother has chosen a strategic spot – a leaf that overhangs water so as the frog hatches it can go straight in as a tadpole. The frog is a fascinating parent. Male Darwin frogs in Chile swallow their children in the tadpole stage, incubate them in their vocal sacs and then spit out as fully formed Dental Veneers for a Beautiful Smile What are the types of Veneers? Indirect Veneers Indirect Veneers require multiple appointments with the dental surgeon but offer better results compared to Direct Veneers. These are thin shells of porcelain which bond to the tooth surface and give lustre and shine to the teeth. The doctor can do a mock up and show you the final outcome prior to placing the veneers. The tooth is reduced by approximately one half of a millimeter. An impression is taken of the teeth and sent to the laboratory for creation of the custom-made veneer. Porcelain veneers are custom-made in a laboratory and glued to the teeth with the help of dental cements. They resist stains better than composite veneers and better simulate the shine of natural teeth. Successful implementation of porcelain veneers require meticulous planning, as well as a clear understanding of the patient’s expectations. With routine care and good oral hygiene, porcelain laminate veneers can be a conservative and ideal treatment option. Direct Veneers Direct Veneers are done with composite. Composite is a tooth colored material which can be directly bonded onto the tooth. Direct veneers are much faster and cost effective. Small defects can be beautifully restored with composite. The doctor would match the shade of composite to your teeth to get the perfect natural result. Composite veneers are thinner and require less removal of the tooth surface before placement. Before any kind of veneer is selected, the dental surgeon would clinically examine the teeth and take radiographs if necessary. Based on the expectations of the patient and the extent of correction needed, the treatment plan would be recommended. How should you care for your veneers? • Veneers should be brushed and flossed regularly like normal teeth. Practicing good oral hygiene is paramount for maintaining the luster of the veneer. Using non abrasive toothpastes is advised. • Chewing on hard items like ice and hard candy might cause chipping and wearing out of veneers over time. This is also true for natural teeth. • Frequent intake of wine, coffee, tea and tobacco can cause direct veneers to discolor with time. Indirect veneers are more resistant to discoloration. • Veneers can be polished periodically to allow you enjoy longer results. • Protect the teeth by using mouth guard while playing or by using night guard if you froglets. These unique creatures are now vanishing because Chile’s forests are being cut down at an alarming rate to supply the wood/paper industry. One of the two species has not been seen since 1980 and is marked as extinct. The other is less than 2000. Another unique species of Australian frog – last seen in 1985 and now declared extinct- were gastric brooders. The female swallowed fertilized eggs, turned her stomach into a uterus and gave birth to froglets through the mouth. Timber harvesting and the chytrid fungus are the culprits again. This phenomenal reproduction will never evolve again in any species. The first frog, who lived 70 million years ago, was a predatory creature known as the devil frog. Called Beelzebufo ampinga (after the devil Beezelbub!), he lived in what is now Africa, and had a massive globular head, sharp teeth, spiky flanges protruding from the back of its skull and plate-like armour down its back. The frog’s spiked body armour may have helped it fend off the dinosaurs and crocodiles that prowled during that time. He hunted by hiding and pouncing on small mammals. The mass extinction that wiped out the dinosaurs paved the way for frogs to explode in numbers and diversify. According to the American Museum of Natural History, which is updated in real time, as of April 2015, there are 6,482 species in the Anura order (frogs and toads). But for each species that we discover – and we discover them every year– several are wiped out. Even the ones we discover have only a few representatives left. Just enough for the universe to show us what we are losing. To join the animal welfare movement contact gandhim@nic.in, www.peopleforanimalsindia.org are a night grinder. What are the risks associated with dental veneers? Veneers are very safe and minimally invasive. Yet the following facts must be taken into account before deciding to plunge for them. • Porcelain veneers are not removable: A thin layer of enamel is removed to make room for the veneer. The enamel lost will not repair itself which makes the porcelain veneer procedure irreversible. The veneers must be maintained or replaced to avoid tooth decay since the protective enamel is no longer covering the tooth. • Porcelain veneers may not last a lifetime and may wear down over time, break, chip, or fall off. Once a veneer is damaged, it must be replaced to protect the tooth from decay. • Some patients experience increased tooth sensitivity following porcelain veneer placement. Sensitivity often subsides after about a week following treatment. A beautiful smile can do wonders for your confidence and well-being. With proper oral care and regular dental visits, long lasting success can be achieved with veneers. By Dr. Anveeta Agarwal, BDS, MDS, Consultant Oral Pathologist, Associate Dental Surgeon & a Specialist at Dantah India’s only International Newspaper

12 - 18February, 2018 15 K Entertainment & Lifestyle Kelly Clarkson thinks Lorde should have performed at Grammys elly Clarkson said Lorde should have been able to perform at the Grammys because she was nominated for album of the year. “I did think it was weird. Lorde didn’t get a performance slot, but I don’t know the back story of that,” Clarkson said in an interview with The Associated Press on 4th February. “I hope there was a real, valid reason.” T Photo Credit : AP Photo The Recording Academy drew criticism for not letting Lorde perform at its 60th show last weekend. The organization was also criticized because only two female performers won awards during the live telecast and its CEO said women need to “step up” when asked about the lack of female winners backstage. When asked about Neil Portnow’s comments, Clarkson said, “He was confused. Poor soul. Yup.” Portnow later said his words were taken out of context and he now understands the pain his “poor choice of words” has caused. The remarks were criticized by Pink, Sheryl India’s only International Newspaper Crow, Katy Perry, India.Arie and others. He said last week the organization is creating a task force to uncover unconscious biases and other barriers that impede women’s success in the music industry. Clarkson, who has won three Grammys, said she would rather perform at the show than win an award. “Winning those awards is always awesome ‘cause your art is validated, so that’s cool. But I always like the performance slots. ... I’d rather have a performance slot than win any award,” she said. “Let’s talk about Pink at the Grammys, she didn’t win the award that we were both up for, but she slayed that stage. She was the best vocal hands down of the night. She’s incredible,” Clarkson added. “That’s more memorable for me. And maybe it’s because I’m a singer.” Clarkson and Pink were both nominated for best pop solo performance, but lost to Ed Sheeran. Their new albums were released after Grammy eligibility, though their first singles were released in time. “It was really cool I think specifically for me and Pink. ...I mean, we’re both 35 and older, you know what I’m saying? That’s really cool for us to have lasted and have longevity, and still be relevant, that’s a really cool feat for especially women. Because count in your head right now how many of those women are on radio,” she said. “Exactly.” Credit : Associated Press (AP) With new trailer, ‘Solo’ hopes to outrun production troubles he first trailer of “Solo: A Star Wars Story” has finally arrived, offering the first glimpse of the much-anticipated spinoff plagued by production troubles. After a 45-second ad for the latest “Star Wars” film played during the Super Bowl, a 90-second teaser trailer premiered the next day on “Good Morning America.” The footage showcased a gritty prequel featuring the snazzy interior of a then-new Millennium Falcon, the familiar growl of Chewbacca and a plethora of handsome fur coats. Though punctuated by the brashness of Alden Ehrenreich’s young Han Solo, the vibe of the trailer is a little chiller than was once forecast for “Solo.” The initial directors, Phil Lord and Christopher Miller (“The Lego Movie,” ‘’21 Jump Street”) are known for their irreverent sense of humor, something that first excited many “Star Wars” fans when the pair was enlisted for the stand-alone installment. But Lord and Miller were removed from the film six months into production over what Lucasfilm said were “different creative visions” on the film. Ron Howard was brought in as a replacement in July, and shooting concluded in October. The trailer for the film, to be released May 25, seemed intent on assuring fans that “Solo” will be a more typically somber chapter in the science-fiction franchise. Young Solo is shown as an ambitious flyboy who drops out of the fight academy and enlists with a rogue band led by Woody Harrelson’s Tobias Beckett. “I’ve been running scams on the street since I was 10,” Solo says in voice-over. “I was kicked out of the fly academy for having a mind of my own. I’m going to be a pilot — best in the galaxy.” Concerns have also been focused on Ehrenreich, who has the unenviably position of following in Harrison Ford’s footsteps in one of the most iconic roles in movies. Before booking the role, Ehrenreich starred in Joel and Ethan Coen’s “Hail, Caesar!” and Warren Beatty’s “Rules Don’t Apply,” but The Hollywood Reporter earlier reported that an acting coach was brought in late in the production to aid the actor’s performance. Instead of focusing solely on Solo, the trailer promoted the film’s larger ensemble, including Donald Glover as Lando Calrissian, Emilia Clarke and Thandie Newton. Credit : Associated Press (AP) Photo Credit : AP Photo NEW DELHI TIMES Lady Gaga cancels European tour dates due to ‘severe pain’ L ady Gaga has canceled 10 concerts in Europe because of severe pain, the tour’s promoter said. Live Nation said the musician is “suffering from severe pain that has materially impacted her ability to perform live.” In a statement posted on social media, Lady Gaga said she was “devastated” to disappoint her fans. She said her medical team “is supporting the decision for me to recover at home.” The singer had been due to play at London’s O2 Arena as part of her Joanne World Tour. The other canceled concerts were in Manchester; Zurich; Cologne, Germany; Stockholm; Copenhagen, Denmark; Berlin and two shows in Paris. Lady Gaga previously postponed her European shows in September after being hospitalized in Rio de Janeiro suffering from “severe physical pain.” In her statement, Gaga apologized to fans in Europe and Rio, saying “I love you, but this O T is beyond my control.” She resumed the tour in North America in November and in January played several dates in Europe. The 31-year old singer-songwriter, whose real name is Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, has spoken about suffering from fibromyalgia, a chronic pain condition. Lady Gaga has been open about her physical and mental health struggles, saying in September she has been “searching for years to get to the bottom of them.” Credit : Associated Press (AP) Photo Credit : AP Photo Paul Simon announces his upcoming tour will be his last nly a few days after Elton John announced he will retire from touring in three years, another venerable music figure is throwing in the touring towel — Paul Simon. Photo Credit : AP Photo Simon, 76, took to social media to say his upcoming tour will be his last, citing the personal toll of touring and the death of his lead guitarist, Vincent N’guini. “I feel the travel and time away from my wife and family takes a toll that detracts from the joy of playing,” he wrote. Retiring from the road “feels a little unsettling, a touch exhilarating, and something of a relief.” Tickets for his “Homeward Bound — The Farewell Tour “ will go on sale Feb. 8. It kicks off in May in Vancouver, Canada, and will take him across North America and Europe. His last date is July 15 in London with James Taylor and Bonnie Raitt as special guests. Simon’s best-known songs include “The Sound of Silence,” ‘’Mrs. Robinson,” ‘’Bridge Over Troubled Water” and “Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes.” Paul Simon is a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame and has been inducted into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame, both as a member of Simon & Garfunkel and as a solo artist. The singer-songwriter said he will still do the “occasional performance” after his last tour. Late last month, the 70-year-old John said his upcoming would tour would be his last, saying he wanted to spend time with his family. His “Farewell Yellow Brick Road” tour will end in 2021. Credit : Associated Press (AP) BMI to honor Luis Fonsi for ‘Despacito,’ other career hits he annual BMI Latin Awards will honor Luis Fonsi not only for his mega smash “Despacito” but for the string of hits he’s racked up over two decades. Fonsi is set to receive the BMI President’s Award on March 20 in Beverly Hills, California. BMI says it is honoring Fonsi for being one of the “most influential” Latin music songwriters and also for his humanitarian work. The Puerto Rican singer was involved with helping the island after last year’s devastating hurricane. “Despacito” was recently nominated for record and song of the year at the Grammys; it features Daddy Yankee, and Justin Bieber on the remix. Credit : Associated Press (AP) Photo Credit : AP Photo www.NewDelhiTimes.com